Lead Applied AI Engineer – Government Transformation Project London preferred (Manchester/Bristol considered) | Hybrid – 2–3 days on site 6-Month Contract | Inside IR35 £700–£750/day Active SC Clearance Required We’re looking for a hands-on Lead Applied AI Engineer to help spearhead the next generation of citizen-focused digital solutions. Join a cross-government programme delivering impactful, production-level AI products—designed to improve lives at national scale. This is a rare opportunity to lead innovation from the inside, building robust, real-world AI systems not just prototypes within a dynamic, start-up-style team embedded in central government. What You’ll Do • Architect and develop real-world AI applications and services using Python and LLMs • Lead from the front: review code, support team development, and ensure engineering excellence • Work collaboratively with non-technical stakeholders to align technical solutions with user needs • Set the pace with modern AI practices and shape best-in-class deployment frameworks • Translate complexity into clarity—especially for those outside the tech bubble What We’re Looking For • Strong software engineering background, especially in production-ready AI/ML systems • Deep experience with Python, cloud environments, LLMs, and NLP • Familiarity with tools like HuggingFace, Anthropic protocols, or containerisation (e.g., Docker) • A pragmatic problem-solver who thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments • Ability to clearly communicate AI concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences • Experience in the public sector or central/local government • Background in building AI agents or end-to-end data-to-insight pipelines • Demonstrated mentoring, upskilling or team leadership experience Due to security requirements, only candidates with active SC clearance can be considered.